Variety of Geranium plant named `Maureen`

ABSTRACT

The cultivar is characterized by its medium green foliage and two-toned orange and white flower. Its relatively strong growth habit, quick rooting time and continuous flowering provide for superb cuttings and also for quick recovery following wet weather conditions. The blooms exhibit good post-harvest quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×hortorum known by the varietal name Maureen (Oglevee No.1149, Bodger No. 1GM 47-1). The new variety was discovered in aselective breeding program by David Lemon at Bodger Seeds, Ltd., Lompoc,Calif. The new variety is a selection from the crossing of Bodger No. 10GM 156-1 with Bodger No. 9 GM 111 (unpatented).

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at OgleveeLtd., Connellsville, Pa., and has repeatedly asexually reproduced bycuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.using full light, 60° Fahrenheit night temperature, 68° Fahrenheit daytemperature, and grown in a soilless media of constant fertilizer200-250 parts per million of nitrogen and potassium has a response timeof six weeks from the rooted cutting to a flowering plant in a 10.0 cmpot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color beingas nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the newcultivar. The data which defines each characteristic was collected fromasexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa.The plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings believed to have beenpotted on approximately Feb. 1, 1996 and flowering on approximately Mar.14, 1996 under full light and greenhouse, and colorings were takenindoors under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool white light usingthe R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

The plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×hortorum.

Commercial.--Floribunda Geranium Maureen.

Form: Semi-dwarf, uniform mound with some lateral growth.

Height.--16.0-17.0 cm from media surface.

Growth.--Free basal branching, lateral and procumbent habit.

Strength.--Free and early flowering; may be used as a landscaping plantor in a hanging basket.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--5.0-8.0 cm across.

Shape.--Reniform: cordate base.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Pubescent.

Color.--Top: Green group 136C. Bottom: Green group 137D. Zone: Greengroup 137A.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation: Color: Yellow/green group 145B.

Petioles:

Color. --Yellow Green group 145B.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow-Green group 145B.

Internodes.--2.5-3.0 cm in length.

The Bud (Umbel)

Shape: Upright; hemispherical cluster.

Size: 2.0-2.5 cm across.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Upright; continuous, very floriferous.

Borne: 6-12 cm above foliage, floret on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.

Closed florets:

Bud size.--0.5-1.0 cm.

Size.--Fully open bloom: 8.0-9.0 cm.

Open florets:

Form.--Semi double; cupped 16 florets appearing per inflorescence.

Color.--Upper Surface Bi Color--Overall appearance orange with a whiteeye Outer edge: Red Group 40D presents a strong impression at the outeredge of the petal which them graduates to Red group 52 D which is apaler color of orange therefore presenting a bicolor effect with a whiteeye. Base: White.

Bottom.--Outer edge Red group 41C which gradually fades to a pure whitealthough the tint of the petal color does not change so as to produce aoverall color impression which remains the same.

Petals.--13-16.

Size.--3.5-4.5 cm.

Texture and appearance.--Two-tone orange with a white eye.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--4-6.

Shape.--Curled, ruffled.

Color.--Top Red group 40D. Bottom: Red group 41C.

Pedicel:

Length.--1.5-2.25 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 145B.

Peduncle:

Length.--14-16 cm.

Color. --Yellow-green group 145B.

Persistence:

Disease resistance.--Not known.

Lasting quality.--Unknown.

Reproductive organs

Anthers:

Length.--1 mm-1.5 mm.

Filaments:

Length.--6-8 mm.

Color.--White.

Pollen: Golden brown.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Length.--6.0-8.0 mm.

Stigma.--Color: White; 5-6 parted.

Style.--2 mm in Length.

Ovaries.'Color: Green; pubescent; Length: 4 mm; superior.

Fruit: None.

General Characteristics

Maureen adds a new orange and white bi-coloroed flower to the currentgroup of light pink, pink, salmon and red floribundas. Floribundas are agroup of plants of similar diploid heritage which exhibit relatedcharacteristics such as spreading habit, basal-branching, small numerousdouble flowers and heat tolerance. The floribundas are intermediate inplant habit between a zonal Geranium and an ivy Geranium. A neat moundgrowth habit lends itself well in containers or ground plantings. Thisvariety exhibits very good cutting production, similar to the ElizabethU.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,192, which has a more orange-red appearance anddoes not have the white eye which is characteristic of the claimedcultivar variety. The variety produces many flower clusters which createa continuous flowering bouquet above medium green foliage.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantiallyas shown and described.